CVE-2017-11848 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Internet Explorer in Microsoft Microsoft Windows 7 SP1, Windows Server 2008 SP2, Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1, Windows Server 2012 and R2, Windows 10 Gold, 1511, 1607, 1703, 1709, Windows Server 2016 and Windows Server, version 1709 allows an attacker to detect the navigation of the user leaving a maliciously crafted page, due to how page content is handled by Internet Explorer, aka "Internet Explorer Information Disclosure Vulnerability".
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/23/2021
The CVE-2017-11848 vulnerability represents a significant information disclosure flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer across multiple Windows operating system versions. This vulnerability specifically affects Internet Explorer's handling of page content during user navigation events, creating a potential pathway for attackers to infer user behavior and navigation patterns. The flaw manifests when Internet Explorer processes maliciously crafted web content, enabling unauthorized detection of user navigation away from compromised pages. This issue impacts a broad range of Microsoft Windows platforms including Windows 7 SP1, Windows Server 2008 SP2, Windows 8.1, Windows RT 8.1, Windows Server 2012 and R2, Windows 10 versions from Gold through 1709, and Windows Server 2016, making it particularly concerning due to its widespread exposure across enterprise and consumer environments.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability stems from how Internet Explorer manages page content and navigation events within its rendering engine. When users encounter maliciously crafted web pages, the browser's handling of navigation transitions creates observable side effects that can be exploited by attackers. This information disclosure occurs through subtle timing variations or state changes in the browser's internal processes that reveal when a user is leaving a particular page. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically within Internet Explorer's document object model handling and event processing mechanisms, where normal navigation behavior becomes observable to malicious content. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-200 as "Information Exposure" and represents a specific variant of information leakage through browser behavior analysis.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-11848 extends beyond simple privacy concerns to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to build profiles of user navigation patterns, identify sensitive websites users visit, or detect when users are accessing confidential information. This information disclosure capability aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the information gathering category, specifically targeting user behavior reconnaissance. The vulnerability could be particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users access sensitive corporate data, as it might reveal which systems or applications users are accessing. Additionally, the vulnerability could be combined with other attack vectors to create more comprehensive surveillance capabilities, making it a valuable asset for threat actors conducting reconnaissance activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-11848 focus on both immediate patching and operational security measures. Microsoft released security updates that addressed this vulnerability through patches to Internet Explorer and the affected Windows operating systems, emphasizing the importance of timely patch management in enterprise environments. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch deployment schedules to ensure all affected systems receive the necessary updates. Browser isolation techniques and sandboxing mechanisms can provide additional protection layers, while network monitoring solutions can help detect anomalous navigation patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security awareness training for users remains crucial as it helps reduce the risk of encountering malicious content that could leverage this vulnerability. The remediation process should also include monitoring for indicators of compromise related to browser behavior changes or unexpected navigation patterns that might suggest exploitation of this information disclosure vulnerability.